?S 3529 

C525 M4 

1920 



yody^ 



eF.O'Conneli 





Gopightr.- f^lQ 

CjQE£R!GI!r OSFQSm 



MELODY 



MELODY 



BY 



GEORGE F. O'CONNELL 




NEW YORK 
THE DEVIN-ADAIR COMPANY 



Copyright, 1920, by 
THE DEVIN-ADAIR COMPANY 



All rights reserved by 
The Devin- Adair Company 



DEC -6 



1920 



Burr Printing House 
New York 



©CLA601856 



TO THE 
DEARLY CHERISHED MEMORY OF 

MY MOTHER 



CONTENTS 

PAGS 

Retrospection ii 

Melody 13 

To THE Sea 15 

Memories 17 

Your Song 19 

Deserted 21 

The Swan 23 

A Lament 25 

A Gypsy Slumber Song 27 

Dedication 29 

The Victor 31 

La Madonna del Azura 33 

Devotion 35 

Yearning 37 

The Lily 39 

An Autumn Reverie 41 

In an Old Garden 43 

To-Day 45 

Absence 47 

[7] 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The Shadow 49 

The Penitent 51 

Old Friend OF Mine 53 

A Rhapsody 55 

Mavourneen 57 

The Firefly 59 

My Trust 61 

Mio Carissimo 63 

The Song Maker 65 

La Noche d'Espana . .- 67 

An Irish Toast 69 

Sweet Lavender 71 

A Southern Plea 73 

Chere Antoinette 75 

Friendship yy 

Rosemary 79 

Sanctified 81 

At Musics Shrine 83 

Love Watches 85 

Motherhood . 87 

Mammy 89 

Afterwards 91 

Requiescat 93 



[8] 



MELODY 



RETROSPECTION 

To My Mother 

The passing years have left untouched 

My memory's sacred thrill, 

Thy voice's tone — thine eyes' soft gaze, 

That cause mine own to fill, 

Across my vision flash, undimmed 

By death's oblivion still. 

To-day upon my soul descends the vital part of 

thee — 
The thing immortal that is surging on, 
And throbs in me. 
And makes me feel how wondrous is our love's 

great unity. 



[II] 



MELODY 
To Mine. Julia Claussen 

Bid me to sing — that some poor wounded soul 

May live awhile forgetful of its pain. 
Bid me to sing — mayhap for one to lift the veil 

Of some sweet yesterday again. 
Bid me to sing — who knov/s a soaring meadow- 
lark 

May sing an answer to my lay. 
Bid me to sing — dear God, that he who wanders 
far 

May hear and find again his way. 



[13] 



TO THE SEA 

To Adelaide IVhytal 

Down by the sea, near the water's edge, 

Where the sands are soft and gray, 
A fair-haired lad with a tiny ship 

Is lost in his boyish play. 
And only the cry of a mother gull 

And the ringing laugh of a child 
And the crooning song of the restless deep 

Break on this stillness mild. 

Down by the sea, near the water's edge, 

A big ship came one day, 
And a sailor lad kissed an aged brow — 

And the big ship sailed away. 
The sudden boom of a battle gun. 

The flight of a frightened bird, 
A murmured prayer on two trembling lips — 

But never a sob was heard. 

Down by the sea, near the water's edge, 

A lonely woman stands 
With an anchor white, on a blue tattered rag, 

[15] 



TO THE SEA 

Clasped in her trembling handa. 
But deep in her mother's heart lives a pride, 
For a hero's blood has been shed; 
She smiles through her tears, for the Victor's flag 

Was borne by her noble dead! 



[i6] 



MEMORIES 

To Mina C. Pfirshing 

In the early flush of the sunset sky 
A song of a thrush in a tree close by 
Brought a message of hope for a life to be — 
This song of a thrush in a maple tree. 

In the twilight dim of that evening still 
The mournful call of a whippoorwill 
Brought a tear-dimmed face of a mother mild 
To the aching heart of a lonely child. 

In the midnight hush of the starlight pale 
The pleading tones of a nightingale 
Came throbbing in rapturous ecstasy, 
Til it wakened an olden love in me. 

But ah ! in the dawn, on the dewy ground. 

It was only a mocking-bird I found, 

Whose little heart broke with songs not his own 

As he sang of a love that he once had known. 



[17] 



YOUR SONG 
To Carrie Jacobs Bond 

Sing to me, darlin', a bit of a song, 

As I lie in the moonlight anear you. 
There's a rift in my heart and a hurt in my soul, 

And sure 'twill be soothin' to hear you. 
For oh, 'tis the wondrous voice that you own 

So wistful and soft to my hearin'. 
What memories I have, as I list to its lilts, 

Of faces and things so endearin'. 

There's times when your note has the call of a lark. 

And again, I can hear the sweet linnet; 
But always, dear— ^always — it leaps to my heart 

For the tear and the wail that there's in it. 
So sing to me, dearest, a lone little chant, 

To ease me and still my poor sighin' — 
For 'tis only your song that can rest me to-night, 

As here in the moonlight I'm lyin'. 



[19] 



DESERTED 
To Mrs. May Ramsdelf 

The old house stands deserted and forsaken, 
Amid the dreams that yesterday were true ; 

There is no voice can call it to awaken, 

For they are gone — who once its shelter knew. 

The garden too is overgrown with wild things. 

This barren heap was once a pansy bed. 
The clustered grape — the rose vine — and the mild 
things 

That grew in sweet profusion — now are dead. 

Bethink you ! This was once a hallowed bower 
Where love's own mystic voice in whispers 
spoke. 

This crumbling sundial marked the trembling hour 
When two lives parted with a silent hope. 

How many autumn twilights long have vanished 
Since from this garden gazed an aged face, 

Whose hope for his return time never banished. 
Whose tear-worn eyes his soldier form would 
trace. 

[21] 



THE SWAN 
To Kathleen 

A lonely swan drifts down the tranquil lake, 
A willow tree is moaning on the shore; 

I know the silent thing is grieving for its mate, 
The willow sobs for springs that are no more. 



[23] 



A LAMENT 
To Eleanor Hymer 

I am waitin* here beside the road 'til you be 

passin' by, 
And ask the roguish likes of you to give the 

reason why 
A poor young gossoon like myself should pine in 

sad despair 
And you be so unnoticin' and seemin' not to care. 

Arrah, Delia Doolin, quit your foolin' an' leave 

off your teasin' ways — 
Faith, me nights you're overrulin' an' you're 

damagin' my days; 
I'm so worried and uncivil — you're to blame, you 

little divil, 
Sure you have me killed entirely — Delia darlin' 

be my own ! 

There's not a lad about the place can love you 

more than I, 
And 'tis envious they all will be to see us steppin' 

[25] 



A LAMENT 

And you'll be leanin' on my arm enjoyin' the 

hilarity 
And I'll be smilin* down upon the beauteous Mrs. 

Flaherty. 

Arrah, Delia Doolin, quit your foolin' an' leave 

off your teasin' ways — 
Faith, me nights you're overrulin' an' you're 

damagin' my days; 
I'm so worried and uncivil — you're to blame, you 

little divil, 
Sure you have me killed entirely — Delia darlin' 

be my own! 



[26] 



A GYPSY SLUMBER SONG 
To Mrs. Eugene Malloy 

Little lad of a wanderi^g tribe sleeping upon my 

breast 
I clasp thy limbs of dusky brown, and watch thee 

through thy rest. 
The silver charm about thy neck shines In the 

campfire's light, 
And thy fate's star is hanging low to bless thy 

future's flight. 
Sleep, my babe, for I love thee— my little lad of 

Romany. 

Little king of the dusty road, slumber till break- 
ing dawn 

When the catbird's call will waken us, after the 
night is gone; 

Then we'll hie once more through the woodland 
paths 

And cross the meadow's streams, and pitch our 
tent when evening comes 

And sing to dreams you again, to dreams. 

Sleep, my child, for I'm watching thee — my Httle 
lad of Romany. 

[27] 



DEDICATION 

To Myrtle Reed 

Thy silver pen lies tarnished with its rust, 

And thou that once did wield its mystic themes 

Hast long since found thy sleep 'mid nature's 
claiming dust, 
And left us but these pages of thy dreams. 

And yet within this book wherein thy hand did 
trace 
The love tales and romance, so sweetly told, 
Doth seem to live again thy well-remembered 
face, 
And thy spirit held a captive in its fold. 



[29] 



THE VICTOR 
To Lieut. Morgan B. McDermott 

Now take thy rest, for thou art glorious sublime — 

Thou valiant youth victorious, entombed in for- 
eign clime. 

A star of gold is hung for three upon a flag flown 
high, 

A brighter one gleams forth to-night in God's 
remembering sky. 

Rest thou in peace, thou fearless one and brave, 
Thy radiant soul is glorified, thy blood has freed 

the slave; 
The trumpet sounds thy welcQme c^gJl beneath the 

§acred dome, 
And Christ Himself goes forth to lead His child, 

His soldier, home ! 

Now take thy rest. 



[31] 



LA MADONNA DEL AZURA 
To My Mother 

The sky is but reflected light 

From thy soft mantle fair, 

The ocean's blue God made for yoiii 

Because that hue you wear; 

The violet and forget-me-not, 

The bird with azure wing, 

Are little thoughts to thee on earth 

That grow and bloom and sing. 



[33] 



D EV O T I O N 
To Mrs. Sarah Fahy 

Once when my heart was aching 

After a soul that had fled, 
Once when life's bonds seemed breaking 

And future hopes lay dead, 
I came to you in that valley — 

You were awaiting me there. 
Your faith touched mine in its rally. 

Your smile awakened my prayer. 
I hold you close in affection 

Just for the cheer of that day. 
Always this sweet recollection — 

Your love illumined my way. 



[35] 



YEARNING 
To Nelle K. Browning 

Laddie, come play me a wee bonny strain 
And carry me home in the gloamin'; 
Take up thy pipes, and I'll follow thee there 
And ne'er leave again to gae roamin'. 

For Laddie, it's fair round my cot o'er there. 
With the heather and brier rose bloomin'; 
But the hearts that are bidin' my comin' again 
Take the pain frae these long years of gloamin'. 

But ah ! Laddie dear, I've forgotten I'm auld 
And the years that hae come and hae flown ; 
I'd nae find a thing but a hearthstone grown 

cauld, 
Nae a face nor a voice that I've known. 



[3;] 



THE LILY 
To Rev, Thomas F. Burke, C.S.P. 

When Christ was nearing Calvary's mount, 

To die for men that day, 

One last sad tear fell from His cheek 

And on the earth it lay. 

On Easter morn on that same place, 

Lest some rude tread might sear, 

A lily bloomed, and in her cup 

She held that little tear. 



[39] 



AN AUTUMN REVERIE 
To Maude Burnham 

All day there glowed the dull November sky. 
The chilly winds from off the inland lake, 
Have swept the fallen leaves in helpless drifts 
to die, 
And chant a solemn dirge far out where billows 
break. 

Some grey geese scream above me as they fly 
To some fair land where summer's fragrance 
fills, 

Far off I hear the vibrant dismal cry, 

Of some wild thing affrighted in the hills. 

Ere long the bitter frosts, then winter's snowy 

blight. 
No semblance then of golden August days, 
Thus must I bide alone amid my saddened plight, 
And call unanswered down the muted ways. 



[41] 



IN AN OLD GARDEN 
To D. M. O'Connell 

A golden sunset fading into red, 
A humming-bird above a yellow tulip bed, 
A little fountain weeping near a rose-hung wall, 
A cricket's evening song, a ring-dove's vesper 
call— 

'Tis twilight there. 

A May moon glimmering through blossoming 

apple trees, 
A honeysuckle swinging her censer on the breeze, 
A tired fawn sleeping near a star-reflected lake. 
The locust's hum, a loon's cry from the brake — 

'Tis nightime there. 



[43] 



TO-DAY 
To Orrin Johnson 

Tell thou to-day love's word that trembles on thy 
speech 
Lest passing time decree it be not told; 
Stretch forth thy hand to me while mine has 
power to reach — 
To-morrow's light may find it strangely cold. 

And oh, remember, dear, when my poor rest is 
won 
I cannot know thy bitterness and pain; 
But I can clasp thy rose ere this sweet day is 
done 
And hear thee say my heart breaks not in vain. 



[45] 



ABSENCE 
To Grace Armstrong 

Let not my memory fade when I have gone from 
thee, 

But keep me still enfolded in thy heart. 
At sunrise or at star shine, I care not when it be, 

If thou wilt think of me, where'er thou art. 

Let some beloved book, or song we used to sing, 
Recall me when the day begins to wane. 

A lily pond — a broken road — a violet-crested 
spring. 
Or e'en a bluebird's note may hold my name. 



[47] 



THE SHADOW 
To S. M. C. 

The Christ Child stands with outstretched arms 

To greet the rising sun, 

And near a tree His mother rests 

To guard her little One. 

He looks afar into the East 

Where clouds hang low like masts. 

But her sad gaze falls on the cross 

His slender shadow casts. 



[49] 



THE PENITENT 
To J. E, R. 

Before a chapel altar ere day was almost spent 
There knelt within its shadow a humble penitent 
The place was long deserted, a single taper 

burned 
And shed its beams of softness upon her face 

upturned. 
There were no sighs of anguish, there were no 

sobs of pain. 
There were no cries of hopelessness for days long 

lived in vain; 
But there were tears, aye, countless tears, that 

stained the hollow cheek 
And bore a contrite message that words could 

never speak, 
And on a little crucifix held firm in her embrace, 
Like Magdalen, she looks upon her gentle Mas- 
ter's face. 



[SI] 



OLD FRIEND OF MINE 
To Leo G, Dwan 

Take my hand and clasp it tight 
And promise me that through Hfe's fight 
We'll steadfast stand in loyal might, 
Dear friend of mine— old friend of mine. 

Look on me well before we part 
And read the friendship in my heart 
And feel my quickened pulses start, 
Dear friend of mine—old friend of mine. 

Perhaps we'll meet some moonlit night 
On some far desert plain or height 
Our comradeship to reunite, 
Dear friend of mine— old friend of mine. 

But if our hopes be only vain 
And on death's scroll be writ my name 
Live on, my soul will still remain. 
Dear friend of mine— old friend of mine. 



[53] 



A RHAPSODY 
To Julia ReBeil 

Ofttimes within my soul there throbs a joy un- 
spoken 
That feeble words of mine seem lost to sing; 
'Tis then I come to thee and clasp thy chords 
unbroken, 
And low what raptures sweet thy keys resound- 
ing bring. 



[55] 



MAVOURNEEN 
To Mary Marten 

Mary Mavourneen, I'm missin' your face 
And all the dear ways that you had, 

And I'm mindin' the day that you came to the 
place 
When I was a bit of a lad. 

Those long years of love and tenderest care 

You gave me, my Mary Machree, 
Will live in a heart that you helped to make 
fair — 

A heart that beats fandly for thee. 

Mary Mavourneen, 'tis sweet is your rest 

Up with God's angels afar, 
But I know that your soul from that Isle of the 
Blessed 

Will shine in my West like a star. 



[57] 



THE FIREFLY 
To Lilian Tucker 

A little troubadour of night 
Paused to kiss a rose of white 
And in the light when dawning came 
Her petals glowed with crimson flame. 



[59] 



MY TRUST 
To Rev, P. J. OXaUaghan, C.S,P. 

What though my name be held in earthly praise, 
And fame's bright star emblazon all my ways; 
What though my barge drift homeward jewel 

heaped. 
And victory's mount by bleeding feet be reached ; 
What though my days by golden suns be blessed, 
And crescent moons loom silvery in my West — 
If at the close of twihght's peaceful time 
Your weary hands come not, dear friend, to rest 

in mine. 

What though my paths are ofttimes lone and 

drear, 
And sorrow "s cry the only sound I hear; 
What though fate's waves in anger lash my bark, 
And lights of hope gleam faintly in the dark; 
What though the friends I've trusted most — 

forget, 
And cherished dreams by failure are beset — 
If I can only come to you when these are past 
Naught else will matter then — and I'll know peace 

at last. 

[61] 



MIO CARISSIMO 
To Margaret B 

Oh Little Han', Oh Sweeta Han', 

Oh Han' of my bambin', 

You hoi' my heart in eet so tight 

Like nothing I have seen. 

Oh Little Face so softa and white 

Dat I am love to kiss 

If I was make a lady queen 

I would not geeve for dis. 

Oh Littla Han', Oh Sweeta Han', 

Oh Han' of my bambin', 

You no stay here wid me no more 

But go away it seem. 

But many time when night is come 

I sleep to have kind dream 

And feel again to touch my cheek 

De han' of my bambin'. 



i^Zl 



THE SONG MAKER 
To Gertrude Rosfs 

You weave the threads of life's sweet harmonies 

Into a tapestry of golden song. 

You give the soul of melody sublime 

To poet's verse, that makes its tones prolong. 

How great that Art ! 

How wondrous seems your pen ! 

That you can give creation to a thing 

That holds the very hearts and souls of men ! 



[65 



LA NOCHE d'ESPANA 
To Rita Olcott 

Bright on the night shines la lunita 
Soft as the eyes of some fair seiiorita— 
Here in the courtyard a mandolinita 
Is sounding its music 
For Hght feet to dance. 

Pablo is singing to his noviecita 
Pledging his love 'neath a bright estrellita 
While she waves her fan like a gay coquetita 
And smiles on her lover 
His soul to entrance. 



[67] 



AN IRISH TOAST 
To Kate Condon 

Here's to the eyes of you — Irish and blue — 
Here's to the smile of you — gentle and true — 
Here's to the laughter and song in your heart- 
Here's to the tears of affection that start — 
Here's to you, Kate, 
Blessed be your fate 
Early and late 
'Tis — God love you. 



[69] 



SWEET LAVENDER 
To Lillian Herbert 

A slender orchid blooming. 

And near a lilac tree 

A pretty maid in lavender 

Is singing happily. 

And in her lap lie violets, 

But in her hand I see 

She holds — all bound in lavender- 

This foolish heart of me. 



[71] 



A SOUTHERN PLEA 
To Mildred and Walter 

See dat moon up in de sky. 
Honey, will you lub me? 
If you don' I shore will die. 
Honey, will you lub me? 
Let my ban' 'round yours twine 
Jes' like some sweet glory vine. 
See dese flashin' eyes of mine. 
Honey, will you lub me? 

'Taint no use to hide yo' face, 
Honey, will you lub me? 
Lubin' me aint no disgrace. 
Honey, will you lub me? 
See me down here on my knee 
Jes' a-pourin' out my plea 
Is you 'templatin' marryin' me? 
Honej^, will you lub me? 



[73l 



CHERE ANTOINETTE 
To Josephine Graff 

Where have you go, my Antoinette? 
Sometime I tink you have forget 
And maybe one petite coquette — 
I hope not yet 
Ma chere 'Toinette. 

But you have take one grand voyage 
And make me feel so disparage 
That sight of you will be mirage — 
I hope not yet 
Charmant 'Toinette. 

Voila ! I see you come encore 

I trow une baiser from de door — 

Oh, jolie fille, don't go some more — 

I love you yet. 

Have you regret? 

I hope not yet 

Mon ange 'Toinette. 



[75] 



FRIENDSHIP 
To Bert 0. Miller 

If deep within the confines of your soul 

You hold a heart that melts with yours into a 

perfect whole, 
If through your very being leaps that ecstatic 

fire 
That only sacred friendship can kindle and in- 
spire ; 
If you can feel the ever pressing of a hand 
And hear ofttimes a murmured prayer. 
Though in some distant, sunless land, 
Give thanks ! For God has sanctified your worth 
And given you, e'en now, a glimpse of uaradise 
on earth. 



[77] 



ROSEMARY 

FOR REMEMBRANCE 

To Hilda Spong 

iWill you remember me — now that we've parted — 
And you turn again to the road that leads 
home. 

While I am gazing, lone and sick-hearted, 
.Watching you fade from me into the gloam. 

Will you recall me, at some twilight's ending. 
As you seek again those green hills that we 
knew, 
While from the distance my cold lips are sending 
Life's last sweet message, my love-prayer, to 
you. 



[79] 



SANCTIFIED 
To Mrs. P. J. Barrett 

Shed thou no tears beside my vine-clad tomb, 

Nor call my name, nor bid me to return, 
For I was weary, and Life's hand of gloom 

Holds me no more ; within its fragile urn 
Two flaming lamps I had to light my way: 

One, mother-love; the other, glowing prayer. 
Cease then to mourn, for in this endless day 

My soul has found a God most wondrous fair. 



[8i] 



AT MUSIC'S SHRTNE 
To Edna Peterson 

Thy gentle fingers touch the snowy keys. 
As some fair goddess weaves her golden lute. 
And melody's caressing charms ascend — 
I listen — with enraptured senses — mute. 
For Thou, Sweet Lady, with this magic gift, 
That is thine own in such a goodly part, 
Hast power to lift my soul beyond life's sting, 
And keep love's sacred trust within my heart. 



C83] 



LOVE WATCHES 
To My Father 

Why do you seek that cold grey rock, out where 

the waves are meeting? 
Sure 'twill break your heart, poor weary child, 

to list to their weary beating. 
Your little world of yesterday lies crushed, aroon, 

and dying — 
Oh lamb of my soul, come home to my arms, for 

'tis I can hear your crying. 

Let me press your head 'gainst my throbbing 

breast and kiss each tear that's falling, 
And hear again of your ship that sailed too far 

from the heed of your calling. 
And when your eyes of softest blue are closed by 

the croon of my singing, 
I'll watch by the side of you all the night through, 

God knows what the morn will be bringing. 



[85] 



MOTHERHOOD 
To Mazie 

Each child of thine to thee is bound by feome 
beloved charm. 
And as the oak has need of branch and bough 
So hast thou want of them that nestled once upon 
thine arm, 
For in their love is thy blessed haven now. 

Sweet Motherhood! Divinest gift of all that 
God can give ! 
Thou art the thing supreme of all the race. 
From thee does man seek first his heritage to live ; 
From thee doth come his courage, strength, 
and grace. 



[87] 



MAMMY 
To Duke F . .. , 



Dere's jes' one light dat gives de world de sun- 
shine 

An' jes' one vast expandin' sky of blue, 
Dere's jes' one moon a-beamin' in de nighttime 

An' jes' one mammy in de world like you. 

Dere's jes' one heart dat always holds my sorrow 
An' jes' one soul dat always takes my hand, 

Dere's jes' one voice dat cheers me for de mor- 
row, 
I loves you, honey, doan you understand? 



[89] 



AFTERWARDS 
To Ethel B. Reeves 

After the night's weary watching, 
After the longing and pain, 
Daybreak at last on the skyline. 
And hope in my soul once again. 

After life's pitiless journey, 
After the heartbreaks and tears. 
Rest in the grey ebbing twilight. 
Sleep and God's peace for all fears. 



[91] 



REQUIESCAT 
To My Mother 

Sweet Crucified, have mercy on her soul ! 

And grant to her the gaining of that eternal goal 

Wherein Thy Sacred Kingdom all worship and 
adore 

Thee, Sovereign Prince of Love, now and ever- 
more. 

Look down on me and see my tears to-day ! 
And teach me, gentle Savior, more fervently to 

pray 
For her whom I have loved and lost, but yet a 

little while. 
But through Thy tender mercies, again I'll see 

that smile, 
And feel once more her presence, and clasp that 

loving hand 
When I have come to Thee, Dear Christ, into 

Thy promised land. 

Oh Mother Mary, Blessed Lady of the Skies ! 
Give heed and tender comfort unto my griefs and 
sighs, 

[93] 



REQUIESCAT 

And take beneath the mantle of thy maternal 

grace 
This mother love of mine, to bring more closely 

to His face. 
Sweet Crucified, have mercy on her soul! 



[94] 



